rein-deer is put to the item of the fledge, with a rein or halter
faftened to his horns: this ferves the fame purpofe as the breeching
belonging to the harnefs of carriages. It fometimes happens
th a t the rein-deer which is placed behind the fledge, by moving
forwards, does not anfwer the intention of checking its velocity
in the defcent; in which cafe, after a trial, the animal-is rejeited,
and one found that is better trained and more docile. In going
down luch hills as are leis fleep, the driver can, by a dexterous
movement of his body only, regulate the Hiding of his fledge, lb
as to have no occafion to tack a deer to its ilern. Where the
defcent is of the fteepeft kind, a further fecurity is required,
namely, the rein-deer is taken from the head and made fail to
the ilern of the Hedge, when the -fledge, gliding down, brings the
animal after it, which ferves as a check -to the precipitancy of the
motion.
T he following is-the method taken in tranfporting baggage in
the fledges before-mentioned, to which the Laplander gives the
name raido-kierres: the conductor of the train of fledges feats
himfelf in the firft fledge, to the ilern of which the rein of the
fecond fledge is fattened, and in like manner the refl follow to the
number o f three, four, or five fledges, connected with one another,
each fledge being drawn by its refpedlive rein-deer, and guided in
the proper track by the one immediately preceding: th e train is
clofed by a rein-deer not harnefled to any fledge, which is done
with the intention that in defcending any declivity this rein-deer
may be able to check and refill the impetuofity of the fledges in
their
their progrefs. It feldom happens th a t the fnow is o f fuch depth
th a t the rein-deer are unable to make their way through i t : foma-
times, however, it is the cafe th a t the animal finks in up to his
belly, when, as may be fuppofed, the traveller can proceed but
very tardily.